← Back to US Funders Directory

Constellation Energy Foundation (Rembrandt Foundation Inc)

Annual Giving
$2.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

Constellation Energy Foundation (Rembrandt Foundation Inc)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,400,000 (2024 disbursements)
  • Total Assets: $51,800,000
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months (E2 program: October 1 deadline, November announcement)
  • Grant Range: $500 - $125,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (with preference for IL, MD, NY, PA, TX nuclear plant communities)

Contact Details

Corporate Foundation Address: 1310 Point Street, Floor 21 Baltimore, MD 21231-3380

Website: https://www.constellationenergy.com/our-impact/community/

Phone: 667-218-7700 (Media/General Inquiries)

Grant Program Information: Visit the Community section at constellationenergy.com for specific program applications

Overview

The Constellation Energy Foundation (operating as Rembrandt Foundation Inc) was established in July 1986 and serves as the philanthropic arm of Constellation Energy Corporation, the nation's largest producer of carbon-free energy. With total assets of $51.8 million and annual charitable disbursements of $2.4 million (2024), the foundation supports community organizations focused on clean energy education, environmental stewardship, and workforce development. In 2024, Constellation contributed $20 million in combined company and employee giving to support more than 4,100 nonprofit organizations. The foundation has awarded nearly $7 million through its signature E2 Energy to Educate program alone since 2010, reaching more than 330,000 students nationwide. Leadership includes Laurie Brlas (Chair), Joe Dominguez (President and CEO of Constellation Energy), and Judy Rader (Executive Director and Senior VP of Corporate Affairs).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

E2 Energy to Educate Grants

  • Grades 6-12: Up to $25,000
  • College (2-year and 4-year): Up to $50,000
  • Application deadline: October 1 annually
  • Awardees announced: November during American Education Week
  • Application method: Online application portal (opens August annually)
  • In 2025, awarded more than $500,000 across 24 projects reaching 31,000 students from nine states

CLEAN Environment Awards (Constellation Leading Environmental Accelerators Network)

  • Grants: $4,000 - $125,000
  • Annual funding: $1,000,000+
  • Application method: Annual application cycle (specific deadlines not publicly advertised)
  • In 2025, awarded nearly $1.1 million to 34 nonprofits for conservation projects

Community Champions Program

  • Grants: Up to $500
  • Eligibility: Constellation customers only
  • Application method: Rolling basis via online application
  • One award per organization per 12-month period
  • Nearly 2,500 community projects awarded across 28 states

Powering Change Investment

  • Annual investment: $1,250,000
  • Focus: Workforce development programs providing family-sustaining jobs in underserved communities

Priority Areas

Clean Energy Education (STEM Focus) Projects must align with at least one innovation theme:

  • Access/Equity in Energy: Engaging underrepresented groups in the energy sector and creating pathways to STEM and energy careers for students of color, women, and other underrepresented groups; fostering environmental justice
  • Sustainability Amidst Growing Energy Needs: Projects addressing energy sustainability challenges
  • Nuclear Technology & Clean Energy: Innovative solutions using nuclear technology and emissions-free generation to address climate change

Additional priorities for E2 grants:

  • Projects reaching a minimum of 100 students
  • Team-oriented, learning-focused, hands-on demonstration projects with specific results
  • Preference for projects with clear connection to Constellation's Clean Energy Center communities, customers, or active employee engagement

Environmental Stewardship Funded projects include:

  • Wildlife habitat construction and restoration
  • Urban tree planting initiatives
  • Living shoreline installations
  • Youth nature and environmental education programs
  • Invasive species removal
  • Trail restoration and accessibility improvements
  • Native plant demonstrations and pollinator gardens
  • Focus on IL, MD, NY, PA, and TX communities (nuclear plant locations)

Workforce Development

  • Economic growth initiatives
  • Job training programs in underserved communities
  • Programs providing family-sustaining employment

What They Don't Fund

  • Houses of worship (though can support food pantries and affiliated community programs operating under a separate EIN)
  • Individual schools (typically not listed in IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File unless registered via IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search)
  • More than 20% of grant funds for administration and office expenses (E2 program restriction)
  • Projects outside Constellation's geographic service areas
  • Organizations eligible to receive only one Community Champions grant per 12-month period

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Leadership (2024 filings):

  • Laurie Brlas - Chair: Former EVP and CFO of Newmont Mining Corporation; extensive board experience including Albermarle Corporation, Graphic Packaging, and Autoliv, Inc. Served on Constellation's Audit & Risk Committee. Retired from Constellation board December 31, 2024, after bringing 16 years of CFO experience at global capital-intensive companies.
  • Joe Dominguez - President: President and CEO of Constellation Energy Corporation since February 2022. Previously CEO of ComEd (Exelon company) serving 4 million customers in Illinois. Holds bachelor's in mechanical engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology and J.D. from Rutgers Law School. His parents immigrated from Cuba.
  • Judy Rader - Executive Director: Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer at Constellation Energy
  • Kathleen Barrón - Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Constellation Energy, responsible for corporate strategy, corporate development, sustainability, communications, corporate relations, and philanthropy. Serves on boards of Keystone Policy Center and Baltimore Waterfront Partnership.

All foundation officers serve as volunteers receiving zero compensation.

Key Leadership Quote: Kathleen Barrón oversees philanthropy as part of her portfolio and emphasizes Constellation's role in advancing clean energy while uplifting communities through strategic grantmaking.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

E2 Energy to Educate Grants:

  • Online application form available at constellationenergy.com/our-impact/community/e2-energy-to-educate.html
  • Application period: Opens in August, closes October 1 annually
  • Must include project budget showing how grant dollars will be spent
  • Applicants must demonstrate alignment with at least one innovation theme
  • Projects must reach minimum 100 students

CLEAN Environment Awards:

  • Specific application process and timeline not publicly advertised
  • Contact Constellation Foundation through constellationenergy.com/contact-us.html for application information
  • Focus on nonprofits in IL, MD, NY, PA, and TX communities

Community Champions Program:

  • Online application via "Apply Now" button at constellationenergy.com/our-impact/community/community-champions.html
  • Rolling basis
  • Available to Constellation customers only
  • One grant per 12-month period per organization

Decision Timeline

E2 Energy to Educate:

  • Application deadline: October 1
  • Decision announcement: November (American Education Week)
  • Timeframe: Approximately 4-6 weeks from deadline to announcement

Community Champions:

  • Rolling review process
  • Decision timeframe not specified

CLEAN Awards:

  • Annual awards announced in October
  • Specific application and decision timeline not publicly available

Success Rates

E2 Energy to Educate (2025 cycle):

  • 24 projects selected from nine states
  • Total awards: $500,000+
  • Specific application numbers not disclosed

CLEAN Awards (2025):

  • 34 nonprofits received grants
  • Total funding: Nearly $1.1 million

Overall Impact:

  • Foundation made 15 grant awards in 2023 and has maintained consistent grantmaking
  • 81% of company's direct grants supported organizations, programs, or events serving underrepresented populations (2024)

Reapplication Policy

  • Community Champions: Organizations eligible to receive one grant per 12-month period
  • E2 Energy to Educate: Can reapply annually (application opens each August)
  • Other programs: Reapplication policies not explicitly stated

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for projects in Constellation's operating communities (Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas). Projects must be located where Constellation does business.

Student Impact (E2 Program): Projects must reach a minimum of 100 students. The 2025 E2 awards reached 31,000 students across 24 projects. Successful projects demonstrate clear, measurable student learning outcomes.

Innovation Theme Alignment (E2 Program): Applications must explicitly align with at least one of three innovation themes: Access/Equity in Energy, Sustainability Amidst Growing Energy Needs, or Nuclear Technology & Clean Energy. Successful 2024 recipients included Illinois State University's "Smart Choices: Empowering Future Leaders in Energy and Sustainability" workshop and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's ReGen Lab.

Constellation Connection: "Preference will be given to projects with a clear connection to Constellation's Clean Energy Center communities, customers, or have active employee engagement." This suggests applications should highlight any existing relationships with Constellation facilities, employees, or service areas.

Hands-On, Community-Based Approach: Successful E2 projects are "team oriented, learning focused, hands-on demonstration projects with specific results." Environmental grants support tangible conservation outcomes like living shoreline installations, urban tree planting, and wildlife habitat restoration rather than purely research-based initiatives.

Budget Efficiency: Grant funds limited to maximum 20% for administration and office expenses (E2 program). Applications must include detailed project budgets showing how funds will be spent on direct program activities.

Focus on Underrepresented Populations: In 2024, 81% of Constellation's direct grants supported organizations, programs, or events serving underrepresented populations. Applications should clearly articulate how the project serves diverse communities, particularly in the Access/Equity in Energy theme.

Specific Examples of Funded Projects:

  • Joliet Junior College (IL): Created Constellation Rising Stars Endowed Scholarship using 2024 E2 funding
  • Chesapeake Bay Trust: Received CLEAN Award funding for environmental conservation
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Used E2 funding to create ReGen Lab (2025)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Demonstrate geographic fit: Clearly explain connection to IL, MD, NY, PA, or TX communities where Constellation operates nuclear facilities and serves customers. Projects outside these areas face significant disadvantages.

  • Align with innovation themes: E2 applications must explicitly map to Access/Equity in Energy, Sustainability Amidst Growing Energy Needs, or Nuclear Technology & Clean Energy. Use the foundation's language and terminology in proposals.

  • Show scale and impact: E2 projects must reach minimum 100 students; competitive applications demonstrate reach to thousands. CLEAN awards favor projects with measurable conservation outcomes.

  • Highlight Constellation connections: Note any relationships with Constellation employees, customers, or facilities. Employee engagement is explicitly listed as a preference factor.

  • Emphasize equity and inclusion: With 81% of grants supporting underrepresented populations, applications should clearly articulate diversity, equity, and inclusion components, particularly for underrepresented groups in STEM and energy careers.

  • Budget strategically: Keep administration costs below 20% for E2 grants. Show clear budget line items demonstrating direct program impact.

  • Plan for annual cycle: E2 applications open in August with October 1 deadline. Start planning in summer to allow adequate time for proposal development and gathering required materials.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory